The P—it’s your power; it’s who you are. It creates your reality and controls your life. It can make you smile in the midst of sorrow. It keeps you pushing forward when everything is trying to push you back. Your P can bring you love, success, and happiness; that’s IF you know how to use it properly! The P—“what is behind your eyes holds more power than what is in front of them” (Gary Zukav)—is your perception.

I've asked myself so many times, "What's wrong with me?" I've been dating for three years and no serious, committed relationships have come from any of it. There have been nights where I would become so frustrated. It seems like the guys who adored me were nice but that's all they were--nice. We lacked common interests, chemistry and connection. Then there's the guy who possesses majority of things you want in a partner. You two begin to talk, click and eventually build. But somewhere along the way, things went left and now your Mr. Future joins your list of Mr. Pasts.

I've wasted so much time analyzing things I could not control--people and the past. "Maybe he was thinking this or that", "maybe I should have reworded that message", "oh crap, I shouldn't have went off--now he thinks I'm crazy and definitely doesn't want me."

I've received emails from quite a few people asking me what a "man fast" is and how to go on one. In a few of my past posts, I mentioned how I went on a man fast, but I never really shared what that experience was like and what I did when I was on it. First, a "man fast" is a period of time where you cut off ALL communication, romance, dates, and non-platonic relationships with men in hopes of growing closer to Christ and discovering yourself. There is no minimum or maximum amount of days to be on one. My man fast lasted a month and a half. Initially, I was in a place of confusion. God had just closed the door on the guy, career path, and housing location I thought He wanted for my life. But by the end of my fast, I was able to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit and learn the true desires He had for me. Now before I proceed discussing this topic any further, please understand that if you are in a God-ordained, loving relationship, I am not telling you to leave your significant other high and dry. This is not a "Girl, Stay single forever... You don't need a man, Independent woman for life" type of post. I think EVERY Queen deserves to meet and live happily ever after with her King. But before any of that occurs, I do believe every woman (and man) should experience a period in life where they are free from distractions and comfort zones in hopes of learning how to trust God, discovering their Queendom and identity, and developing true self confidence. Here is why:

In "The 'New Side Chick': I was Her", I introduced a new role a lot of women play to men who aren't seriously interested in them. In "The New Side Chick Part II: But I Can't Leave Him...", I discussed how to leave those unhealthy, loveless relationships/situationships. But then what?! You find your knight in shining armor and live happily ever after? Ha! I wish that was the case. I have to be honest with you: It's been about 8 months since cutting my ties with Jake, and I am still not fully healed. I've become too guarded over my heart. I began to see every man who does not immediately commit to me as a potential Jake. I wouldn't allow myself to really open up and be vulnerable with another guy, no matter how good they were, because in my mind, they would eventually hurt me. I developed a fear of becoming The New Side Chick again. Often times when we end relationships/situationships, we just leave the title and the person. However, the heartache and blockades around our hearts follow us.

Do you ever find yourself revisiting goals that you haven't achieved? You started working on that goal, but somehow along the way you got derailed and had to start over? Well you're not alone. My struggle has always been with my body, particularly weight loss. Every few months I find myself setting the goal of having a nice six pack. I work hard in the gym for a few weeks. I begin to see results, so I get excited and "treat myself". After all, I've been working so hard, what harm would some Popeyes chicken and biscuits do? I've noticed that my cheat days become cheat weeks and eventually a cheat month. Then I'm back at square one trying to accomplish the goal of having a lean six pack.

All it takes is ONE moment of temporary satisfaction to kick off a season of long-term unfulfillment. Queens, it's time for us to stop letting short term pleasure affect our long term progress.